The art of science writing: taking something very simple and writing very complicated sounding things about it.
I think this is why I am sucking at writing. At my base, I am a very plainspoken writer
no, really? go ON, ESC? you? plainspoken? blunt? honest? tactless?
shut up.
I am not so good at the flowerly language. And similarly, I am not so good at the BS science writing. You can just come out and SAY “Next, we did X to proove Y, see figure Z”. You have to figure out how to say that one thing in three statements, using 4 figures, and using language that makes the whole process so much more complicated that it really was.
Can you tell I’m spending a lot of time banging my head on my laptop? I have dents in my forehead.
bad news: one of our wedding gift wine glasses committed suicide from the wine glass rack yesterday
good news: I sold a set of stitch markers. the profits of which will be spent replacing the wine glass
bad news: it’s not really profit, as I spent $50 on beading supplies in a “this will cheer me up” crafty shopping spree at Michael’s on Saturday
good news: I had no real stake in the super bowl on Sunday, so I cheered for both teams. Consequently, my team won! Go us!
bad news: my friend Elizabeth’s son has just been diagnosed with some neurological issues that are affecting his development
good news: it’s not life threatening, and especially since they caught it so early, it’s completely overcomable
bad news: I am cold all. the. time
good news: i am surrounded by things that are warm - Sadie at my feet, hot coffee in my mug, and a down blanket on my lap.
good news: I am apparently a relationship genius. you all should consult me before making any relationship decisions. this is incredibly ironic considering how long I was single and relationshipless before meeting Kev. And considering the lack of drama in our relationship. Anyway, write to me with your relationship problems! And I will SOLVE THEM FREE OF CHARGE!!
happy monday. hope your good news outweighs the bad news this week!
You were right.
And I am happy.
As the joke goes, PhD does stand for “piled higher and deeper”. Baby steps, one word at a time ESC.
Holy shit! You guys just got the Dalai Lama on faculty? Check it out over on CNN.com. I’m having a HTML mental breakdown and can’t link it here.
Ok, so, my relationship problem is the lack of a man in my relationship. The sex is ok, though…
I have to admit that I’m really quite good at the bullshitting. Relationships, however? Not so much.
Retro - I am ALWAYS right. except when I am wrong.
Seth - holy crap. I hope that doesn’t mean he’s going to take our office space.
Jamie - keep having good sex until the man comes along. then have great sex. and blog about it.
Kirstie - I do OK with bullshitting. it’s the repetitiveness of scientific bullshitting that’s getting me! maybe you come here and help me with the BS, and then I’ll help you with the relationships! because I so know where to find hot eligible bachelors. but mostly? they are gay.
I admire your ability to find the good news. I should try that more often.
Guess it’s time to knit yourself a nice heavy blanket to keep you warm. Hmmm maybe one for Sadie too?
Good news: I do posts with this good news/bad news setup, too!
Bad news: But I haven’t sold a stitch thingie.
Good news: I haven’t had a wine glass commit suicide either.
Bad news: No, but I use this format whenever I’m at a crossroads with my job situation, like now.
Good news: Look at the bright side — I don’t need to ask ESC for relationship advice.
bad news: I totally ripped this format off Mikey
good news: I’m pretty sure he’ll forgive me
bad news: I did it this way because I was stuck for an idea on what to post
good news: Mikey left a nice comment and doesn’t need relationship advice
Good news: I had a date.
Bad news: He wants me to go to Minneapolis and spend three days dressed as an anime character.
Good news: He’ll let me be a Browncoat instead, because even tho someone can make me a Japanese schoolgirl outfit, that doesn’t mean I should WEAR a Japanese schoolgirl outfit.
Bad news: I don’t have a brown coat.
Good news: I have these kickass thigh-high black boots with stiletto heels.
Bad news: See “stiletto heels”, see also “badly damaged back”.
Good news: He’s still taking me to lunch tomorrow.
SQUEEEEEEEEEE!
OK, how do I tell him I would rather have an original bouquet of flowers and not boring red roses when he sends flowers? Doesn’t that just sound so awful? I know I should be happy that he sends anything at all, because so many men don’t, but how can I say, “Honey, I really don’t like red roses. I like lilies. Or daisies. Or pretty much anything except red roses,” without just saying that and sounding like an ungrateful snot? Or am I just an ungrateful snot?
Apparently I don’t have relationship problems anymore. So, good job, you!
Jag - Don’t be too subtle, and don’t worry about sounding like a snot. Guys are clueless when it comes to picking out flowers, and will generally appreciate some obvious clues.
examples: walking past a florist/grocery store flowers, dude siting in gas station parking lot selling bouquets
“ohhhh…daisies! Daisies are my favorite! They smell SO much better than roses!”
or…watching tv, sappy valentine’s day commercial involving roses and chocolates comes on
“ugh. Roses are SO GENERIC! I would MUCH prefer a bouquet of wildflowers or lilies”
you can play it off with a wink and a smile, if you want. you ARE being obvious, but trust me: unless he’s a total dick, he’ll appreciate the hint.
I told Kev flat out a long time ago that those crappy little red roses are not for me. now I get a pot of live gerber daisies or a pretty mixed bouquet for special occasions.
Bad news: It’s f*n cold outside!
Good news: It’s not snowing?!
Good luck w/ the paper…
So please tell my why after over 20 years together the Wife still insists on trying to give me little hints about things instead of just coming out and asking me to do something and why she still thinks I can somehow read her mind when she wants something?